29 March 2013

Two weeks ago, I matched. What I matched into is not important (to you), you will know me as a poor MD for years to come. But I am relieved.

To be perfectly honest, I was terrified to the point that I was watching a movie to get my mind off things, sitting on a very comfortable couch, waiting for that email. I'll paste that email in a bit. But before, I want to share something I've kept secret for years. My Fall 2004 grade report.

BIO

325

GENETICS

50015

3

B

9.00

M

427

ADV CALC FOR APPLC II-AP-HON

58500

4

C

8.00

PHY

301

MECHANICS

59545

3

B

9.00

PHY

101

LABORATORY FOR PHY 301

59590

1

A

4.00

GPA: 2.72

Oh my god. That winter I had gone to my uncle's house and was in a full panic when I saw the report. I wasn't getting into medical school, forget residency. If things didn't change quickly, I thought, I was ending up on the street, and I saw myself doing so, with a ragged beard, occasionally dropping by at home, only to leave once I couldn't take the disappointing looks nor money any more. I once painted a bleak picture of myself living in a trailer home (and doing some heavy duty illegal filesharing). The bleak pictures I create for myself are not over. But for once, I will take a breather and pretend life is not jumping from one crisis to another.

I urge you to (re?)read the post I made when I got an acceptance to medical school. The medical school saga is almost over, and has been a success. Same goes for Step 1 and admissions and interviews. I did catch some peaceful shuteye that night.

Anyway, here's the email!*

Congratulations! You have matched!

Check the Match Site at https://services.nrmp.org/r3/ on Friday, March 15, 2013, at 1:00 PM eastern time to find out where you matched. Because you are matched, you are not eligible to participate in SOAP and you will not have access to the List of Unfilled Programs.NRMP Staff

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That's it! If this epic man child can climb from a 2.72 to hopefully being an attending neurosurgeon in 7 years**, pretty much anyone can.